THE stage is set for an early crescendo in the drama of race week at the 2023 Repco Bathurst 1000, with all eyes on a meeting tomorrow.
Representative from all 11 teams are due to convene in the late morning at Mount Panorama to get to the bottom of whether or not a parity tweak will be made immediately in the form of an upgraded Ford aero package.
Supercars and its board are facing immense pressure from both directions.
Ford is adamant a change is necessary to ensure a level playing field at the biggest race of the year, while General Motors and its homologation team Triple Eight is pushing back given the parity review process has not been triggered (since before Townsville).
The bitter off-track war will come to a head little more than 24 hours before opening practice (starting 1:20pm AEDT Thursday).
The lingering situation made for an eerie Tuesday at the Mountain, with many conversations hovering around the blockbuster meeting and few certain on which way a decision will go – not to mention the backlash that might follow from whichever party doesn’t get its way.
Three outcomes would appear possible: Ford gets all, some or none of its proposed changes approved.
The Blue Oval is pushing for adjustments to its front bar and rear wing. Teams have made and brought the relevant new parts in the hope of approval being granted.
V8 Sleuth understands if the changes do get the green light, it will take a not insignificant period of time to apply the tweaks – but of course, Mustang teams are willing to put in the time and effort for the benefit of improved performance.
If the decision does go that way, Ford teams will be learning their new kit on the fly; however, the Blue Oval has collated data via its own CFD work and limited testing.
Further, there is six hours of main game practice at Mount Panorama, plus 60 minutes between qualifying and warm up, before the race to get to grips with any modifications.
Wednesday action at Bathurst includes a transporter and drivers’ parade through the town’s CBD from 11am and 11:30am AEDT, respectively.
There will also be a full field driver signing session at Kings Park Parade in the CBD from 12:15-2pm (Ford drivers 12:15-1pm, Chevrolet drivers 1:15-2pm).
